"To top it off, usually they don't know as much about trains as me.." Who do you talk to?! Meet me track side and rap your game to me! Maybe, just maybe, I'll play dumb and let you tell me how it is, get real and get a life! I forgot more about railroading than you WILL EVER KNOW!! I don't care if your a friend of a dispatchers brother! I know MUCH more than him, trust me! Being in the field is better than sitting in the comfort of a chair! Don't believe me? Want to debate this?
I really take exception to people that are not railroaders but claim to have the knowledge.

-- Kevin R. Kohler, Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers.

So why are you here? I'm not trying to knock you off your highchair, but I know a number of employees who don't know shet about their job.

I find that the best way to meet people is just being at the tracks. As many of you have stated there are different types of railfans, however we share one common interest. As Nick said I have found that when railfanning with other guys (the ones I hang with don't even take photos but enjoy watching) want to anchor themselves on the tailgate for the rest of the day where I want to go and scope out different shots while there are no trains. However all in all MOST guys I meet at the tracks are good, kind and responsible railfans that I find good to hang with and talk to.

[quote=UCRP93;79298]Other railfans are generally a pain. Unless I'm going to a railroad hotspot like Berea, Greenwich, Fostoria, or something like that, I'd prefer to just not see a railfan. They seem to get in my way, make noise through my videos, always try to talk about something I don't care about, and more! I especially hate it when they arrive after you, and then get in your way and refuse to move.

Here, here. Very well said. Couldn't have said it better myself. That's why I prefer to go railfaning alone.

I go out by my self, but usually have my 2 & 4 y/o with me. I just wing it when I go out and will cruise along the BNSF sub or the UP sub with scanner in hand. If I get a shot great, if not, well it was fun cruising around with my girls. I am not out to get the "Perfect Picture" each time like some of the people on here. I am out to just to have fun with my hobby, and get away from my work.

As for what Kevin said, I could not tell you the difference between a ES44AC or an SD70, they all look the same to me. I can tell you the difference between a steamer and diesel, that is about it.

I have a friend gets like that with motorcycles when you go out with him on a ride. You stop somewhere and if he sees another motorcyclist in the parking lot he walks over and starts talking to the guy. Then tries to let you know he is and "expert" and knows more about them than you, even at the dealers. Makes me crazy.